[CRK]
Chamari Athapaththu put on a commanding all-round display to power Sri Lanka to a four-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Rajshahi, leveling the ODI series at 1-1. After missing the first match with a finger injury, Athapaththu made her presence felt with both bat and ball in a performance that underlined her value to the team.
Athapaththu Dismantles Bangladesh Batting
Bangladesh posted a modest total of 165 all out in 45.5 overs, struggling to build momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Captain Nigar Sultana was the standout performer, anchoring the innings with a composed 58 off 101 balls, including four boundaries. However, she received little support from the rest of the lineup, with only Sobhana Mostary (19) offering brief resistance.
Chamari Athapaththu struck early and often. She began her spell by dismissing Sarmin Sultana in the 16th over, trapping her lbw—a decision the batter appeared unhappy with. Undeterred, Athapaththu returned in her next over to remove Mostary, who was caught at square leg. Her third wicket came in the 31st over when Ritu Moni mistimed a cover drive and was caught brilliantly by Nilakshika Silva at mid-off.
Other bowlers chipped in effectively. Malki Madara struck early by dismissing former top-scorer Sharmin Akhter for a duck in the fifth over. Nimesha Meepage and Inoka Ranaweera each claimed two wickets, while Kavisha Dilhari wrapped up the innings with one scalp.
Sri Lanka’s Chased Down Amid Steady Resistance
In reply, Sri Lanka reached the target in 43.1 overs, finishing at 166 for 6. Opener Sadeera Samarawickrama led the charge with a solid half-century, scoring 50 runs to lay a strong foundation. Athapaththu backed up her bowling with a well-judged 40, while captain Dinusha Karunaratne contributed a steady 40 to guide the chase.
The Sri Lankan innings wasn’t without pressure—Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter proved to be the standout bowler, taking 4 for 21 and keeping things tight in the middle overs. But the visitors managed their run chase effectively, avoiding major collapses and sealing the win with 11 balls to spare.
Key Moments That Shaped the Match
- Athapaththu’s return from injury made an immediate impact, showcasing her ability to influence games in multiple departments.
- Nilakshika Silva’s sharp catch at mid-off was instrumental in breaking Bangladesh’s fragile middle order.
- Nigar Sultana’s 58 was a lone fight in a batting lineup that failed to capitalize on starts.
- Nahida Akter’s 4-21 kept Bangladesh competitive, but lacked support from the other end.
This victory not only levels the series but also restores Sri Lanka’s confidence heading into the final ODI. With Athapaththu back to her best, the visitors will be eager to seize momentum and clinch the series outright.
As the teams prepare for the decider, one thing is clear: Chamari Athapaththu remains the heartbeat of this Sri Lankan side—a true match-winner when it matters most.
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